Doncic scores 50, Mavericks edge Rockets 112-106

HOUSTON — (AP) — Luka Doncic scored a season-high 50 factors, together with 17 within the fourth quarter, and the Dallas Mavericks held on to beat the Houston Rockets 112-106 on Friday evening.

Doncic, who additionally had 10 assists and eight rebounds, was 17 of 30 from the sector, together with 6 of 12 on 3-pointers. It was Doncic’s second profession 50-point recreation.

“Generally you’re going to make extra photographs than regular,” Doncic mentioned. “If you really feel sizzling, you are feeling like all the pieces will go in.”

He scored a career-high 51 in opposition to the Clippers on Feb. 10, 2022.

Dallas coach Jason Kidd referred to as Doncic’s 50 factors “an ideal Christmas present on a protracted highway journey.”

“Luka is Luka,” Kidd mentioned. “He’s the perfect participant on the planet. He confirmed that tonight, carrying the load offensively. … I don’t know what else to say about him. He was unbelievable tonight.”

Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans every scored 11 factors for Dallas, which shot 45% and made 16 of 44 3s.

Jabari Smith Jr. completed with 24 factors and 10 rebounds, Jalen Inexperienced added 23 factors and eight rebounds, and Alperen Sengun had 19 factors and eight rebounds for Houston, which misplaced its fifth straight.

“Simply coming in and attempting to get again on observe, get again to enjoying nicely,” Smith mentioned. “Our report’s not nicely, however we all know after we play good and we all know after we play unhealthy. These final couple video games we really feel like we haven’t performed like us, so the main focus was getting again to us and enjoying how we play.”

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 14 factors, and Kenyon Martin Jr. had 10 for the Rockets, who shot 46%.

Houston coach Stephen Silas mentioned Houston’s defensive recreation plan was good, however there was “simply an excessive amount of Luka.”

“I’m unsure that he made a simple shot,” Silas mentioned. “We made each shot arduous, and that’s the greatness of an ideal participant. … That’s what Luka does.”

Tied at 94 with 7 1/2 minutes remaining, the Mavs used an 11-3 run to open up an eight-point lead on a 3-pointer by Doncic, who blew a kiss to the gang. The Rockets responded with seven straight factors to chop the result in 105-104 on Sengun’s layup with 3:13 left.

After Bertans hit a 3 to up the result in 4, Smith lower the result in two with a jumper with a 1 ½ minutes remaining. The 2 groups traded turnovers and missed photographs earlier than Doncic nailed a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left to provide the Mavs a five-point lead.

“We swing the ball, and Tim (Hardaway Jr.) redrives it from the nook and finds Luka large open,” Kidd mentioned of Doncic’s 3 to seal the win. “Luka does the remaining. If you’re sizzling like that, generally you don’t have to maneuver the ball. Another person did all of the work for him, and the ball discovered him.”

Houston erased a 16-point, second-quarter deficit, outscoring the Mavs 33-15 over a nine-minute span of the second and third quarters to take a 69-67 lead on a 3-pointer by Smith with 6:15 remaining within the third.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Dorian Finney-Smith missed his second straight recreation with a proper adductor pressure. … Kemba Walker was out of the lineup Friday evening as a consequence of left knee harm restoration. … Reggie Bullock left the sport within the third quarter with a neck pressure.

Rockets: Garrison Mathews (sickness) returned to the lineup on Friday after lacking the final three video games. He was scoreless in 12 minutes. … Jae’Sean Tate (ankle) may return quickly, Silas mentioned. “I don’t have a timetable, days or no matter, however it appears to be like prefer it’s getting nearer to days than weeks,” Silas mentioned. … Eric Gordon was out of the lineup Friday with a bruised left thumb.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Host the Lakers on Sunday to start a three-game homestand.

Rockets: At Chicago on Monday to start out a three-game highway journey.

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